The Hidden Value of Dehulling: Unlocking Proteins, Oils, and Fibers
When most people think about seeds, they picture a simple whole kernel. But inside every sunflower, hemp, or pumpkin seed is a world of opportunity — if you know how to unlock it. At Laketown Mills, dehulling is the first critical step that transforms raw grains and oilseeds into clean, high-value ingredients for food, feed, and beyond.
What is Dehulling?
Dehulling is the process of removing the outer shell, or hull, from a seed or grain. While hulls are tough, fibrous, and often considered “waste” by commodity processors, separating them properly reveals the nutrient-rich kernel inside. That kernel is where the proteins, oils, and specialty fibers live — the building blocks for modern plant-based foods and functional ingredients.
Why Dehulling Matters
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Higher Protein Purity – Hulls dilute the protein concentration of seed meals. By removing them up front, processors can create clean protein concentrates and flours with consistent quality.
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Better Oil Yields – Pressing dehulled seeds results in a lighter, milder oil with lower impurities and higher efficiency.
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Valuable Fiber Streams – Hulls themselves can be repurposed as dietary fiber, animal feed, or sustainable inputs for packaging and building materials.
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Improved Functionality – From water solubility to flavor neutrality, dehulled ingredients perform better in food formulations.
Turning Byproducts into Value
Most toll processors throw away byproducts. At Laketown Mills, we monetize them. Dehulled hulls and screenings don’t go to waste — they’re repurposed into livestock feed, fiber additives, or sustainable material streams. This upcycling not only creates new revenue for our customers but also reinforces our commitment to reducing waste in the specialty grain supply chain.
The Laketown Mills Advantage
Dehulling isn’t just about running seeds through a machine. It’s about precision, consistency, and market awareness. At Laketown Mills, our dehulling services are designed to:
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Meet strict customer specifications for purity and particle size
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Enable downstream processing like oil pressing and protein milling
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Unlock multiple product streams from a single seed
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Strengthen local supply chains through sustainable sourcing and value creation
Conclusion
Dehulling is more than a processing step — it’s a value multiplier. By separating hulls from kernels, we unlock the full potential of proteins, oils, and fibers hidden inside every seed. Whether you’re a food company seeking clean-label plant proteins, an oil brand looking for purity, or a feed manufacturer searching for functional fiber, dehulling is the key to transforming raw material into premium product.
At Laketown Mills, we make sure nothing goes to waste — and everything goes to work.
Reach out to Colin@laketowmills.com if you want to inquire about ingredients or processing services.